AIDS — An Immunologic Reevaluation

Effects of Subcutaneous Interleukin‐2 Therapy on Phenotype and Function of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infected Patients

“…There were no changes in antiretroviral regimens 3 months prior to initiation of IL-2 treatment or throughout the study. Blood samples were collected 4 weeks before therapy, at enrolment, and at 4,8,12,16,20,24,28,32 and 36 weeks after enrolment. The Danish National Health Board and local Ethical Committee approved the trial, and all patients provided written, informed consent.…”

“…þ cells, a vigorous (but still insufficient) cell-mediated cytotoxic (CTL) response against all major HIV proteins [1], reduced natural immunity [2], impaired proliferative responses to nonspecific mitogens, and altered cytokine production, including interferon-␥ (IFN-␥) [3][4][5][6] and interleukin-2 (IL-2) [7,8]. Immune intervention and antiretroviral treatment target different aspects of HIV infection, but the ultimate goals of HIV therapy are to induce suppression of viral replication and to enhance CD4 þ cell number and function for optimal restoration and preservation of the immune system.…”

Transforming growth factor beta and noncytopathic mechanisms of immunodeficiency in human immunodeficiency virus infection.

“…Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infects CD4+ helper T lymphocytes and causes the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which is, in part, a consequence of virus-induced cytopathic effect in this lymphocyte subset (1)(2)(3)(4)(5). Recently, it has been demonstrated with more sensitive techniques that a higher proportion of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are infected with HIV and that cell-free virus can be found in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (6)(7)(8).…”

Demonstration of defective C3-receptor-mediated clearance by the reticuloendothelial system in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

“…Whether these are due to actual infection of the monocytes by HIV (11,12) or are secondary to its effects on other cells (1,3,6) needs clarification. Additional studies on mononuclear phagocyte function in relation to HIV infection are clearly indicated to define further the immunopathology of AIDS.…”

“…Most authorities agree that a newly described retrovirus, now referred to as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)' (2), is the causative agent of AIDS. It appears that the virus enters the helper/inducer subset of lymphocytes of infected persons via attachment to the T4 surface antigen (3,4), eventually leading to cytolysis and ultimate suppression of cell-mediated immunity (5,6).…”